Welcome to Shared Value Solutions funding and news digest. We hope it finds you well.

In this issue, we bring you news of a Free Webinar on lands and consultation department development with Chief Christine Walkem and SVS's Scott Mackay on Dec 14th. We also share our most recent #notesfromthefield photo essay of fish telemetry tagging alongside the Manitoba Métis Federation. Also included is a post on the value of using video to gather and transmit Traditional Knowledge from our popular eBook, Channeling the Wisdom of Indigenous Knowledge. As usual, read on for funding opportunities available across Turtle Island, the opportunities round up and our current job postings.

Enjoy!

Join us for a FREE Webinar!

At its core, a Lands and Consultation Department plays that important role between the Nation and industry, regulators, or other external parties, such as NGOs, municipalities, or even other First Nations who want to make decisions that impact a Nation’s land base. A Lands and Consultation Department strives to protect a Nation’s territory and reserve lands through a focus on environment and cultural heritage, while also considering interests in economic development.

In this webinar, Scott Mackay (SVS Founder, Senior Consultant) will present on our challenges and successes in supporting lands and consultation departments, highlighting the Cook’s Ferry Indian Band (CFIB) and the value that the lands office has brought to the Nation. Chief Christine Walkem from CFIB, along with Scott, will share how SVS helped to set up systems to effectively manage the influx of referrals, and participate meaningfully in regulatory and development processes, while pursuing their Nation’s strategic goals on lands and economic development.

Register here.

Indigenous Funding Programs

NATION WIDE HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAMS:

First Nations Indigenous-led Natural Climate Solutions

Through the Indigenous-led Natural Climate Solutions stream, funding supports First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nations, communities and organizations to build capacity and to undertake on-the-ground activities for ecological restoration, improved land management, and conservation. These activities aim to effectively sequester carbon and maximize co-benefits for biodiversity, climate resiliency, and human well-being.

The Indigenous Guardians Secretariat is delivering funding for the Indigenous-led Natural Climate Solutions stream collaboratively with First Nations, Inuit and Métis using the existing distinctions-based governance structures in place for Indigenous Guardians.

Governance structures for First Nations, Inuit and Métis

The Indigenous-led Natural Climate Solutions stream is being implemented jointly with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis using a distinctions-based approach that respects and recognizes the unique perspectives, rights, responsibilities and needs of Indigenous peoples.

Eligible organizations

Indigenous Nations, communities, governments, and representative organizations are eligible for funding under the Indigenous-led Natural Climate Solutions stream.

An application process for First Nations Indigenous-led Natural Climate Solutions initiatives in 2023–2024 will be open from Wednesday, October 19, 2022 until Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Learn more here.

More details on this initiative can be found on the RN CTA 65 funding opportunity page.

First Nations Environmental Contaminants Program- Deadline December 17, 2022

Indigenous Services Canada provides funding through the FNECP to help First Nations communities improve their health. The program supports these communities in identifying, investigating and characterizing the impact of exposure to environmental hazards. Its activities include community-based:

• research
• monitoring
• risk assessment
• risk communication
• knowledge integration

For more information, read here.

Nation Rebuilding:  The deadline to submit a proposal is January 13, 2023.

Indigenous groups are seeking to rebuild their nations in a manner that responds to their priorities and the unique needs of their communities.

Through Budget 2018, funding has been made available for 5 years starting in fiscal year 2018 to 2019, to support activities that would facilitate Indigenous communities' own path to reconstituting their nations. 

 https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1530880050808/1530880135933

First Nations Drinking Water Settlement Open for Claims from Communities and Individuals

After a years-long fight for clean drinking water, Indigenous communities and individuals in Canada are a step closer to receiving money from a class-action lawsuit that was settled with the federal government for $8 billion last year. The claims process under the settlement opened up to submissions on Monday. Indigenous communities now have until Dec. 22 to file their claims, while individuals have until March 7, 2023.

Read More

WESTERN CANADA FUNDING: 

Participant Funding Program

The Canada Energy Regulator (CER) administers a Participant Funding Program (PFP) to facilitate the participation of the public – and, in particular, the Indigenous peoples of Canada and Indigenous organizations – in public hearings under section 52 or subsection 241(3) of the Canadian Energy Regulator (CER) Act and any steps leading to those hearings. 

Project funding envelope available for the Pointed Mountain Pipeline Abandonment Project. Indigenous peoples and organizations participating as intervenors are eligible for a $20,000 grant. Simply email PFP.PAFP@cer-rec.gc.ca by 8 December 2022 to indicate your interest in this grant.

Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP), Application deadline January 4, 2023

The Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP) is a new grant launched by the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation (JERI).

The Government of B.C. is investing up to $33 million this year to create the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program, which will support projects that promote the following:

• Economic diversification
• Resilience
• Clean growth opportunities
• Infrastructure development
  
  

Read more here. 

EASTERN CANADA FUNDING

Indigenous Services Canada supporting First Nations recovery from Hurricane Fiona as part of federal government response

$4 million has been made immediately available through the Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP) to address recovery efforts and various needs and expenses identified by First Nations communities. 

Read more.

Opportunities Round-up: 

• • Grants available for Emergency Response and Recovery for small Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs in Central Interior BC. The program is to provide a monetary contribution to assist clients, Indigenous owned businesses, entrepreneurs, and First Nation Communities who have experienced business disruption and financial loss due to the 2021 BC Floods. Applications will be accepted until the BC Emergent Response and Recovery Grant fund is fully allocated.

  • Micro-Loan Fund Available for Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs 
    The National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) and participating Aboriginal Financial Institutions (AFIs) are pleased to announce the establishment of a new $5 million Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund.
    AFIs across the country are now delivering the Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund on behalf of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada (ISED). First Nations, Inuit, and Métis women entrepreneurs from across the nation are now able to access loans up to $50,000 dollars to start or grow their business.
    
    

• • Clean energy in Indigenous, rural and remote communities. Environment and Climate Change Canada has announced an additional $300 million for clean energy projects. This funding supports projects that help advance Indigenous-led climate action, support local economic development and create skilled jobs while reducing pollution and improving air quality.  There is no deadline to apply.

    
    

  • Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities. The Government of Canada is providing $103.8 million over 5 years to assist First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities with implementing and developing Indigenous-designed community safety projects. There are several activities eligible for this funding, including initiatives that recognize the importance of traditional knowledge and practices in community safety and well-being.  There is no deadline for this funding.

  • Assistance to be Offered to Residents of Mud Lake for Relocation (nationtalk.ca)

    Assistance is being extended as a result of previous and potential flooding events which have been an ongoing concern for some residents. The decision to relocate or remain in the community will be up to each household. The amount of financial assistance payable to Permanent Residential Property Owners will be determined by the number of Permanent Residents living in the household.

    Residents who wish to avail of relocation assistance, can contact Jacob Kimball, Manager of Legislation, at jacobkimball@gov.nl.ca or 709-729-5473 for further information.

• • NL Government: Applications Now Open for Premier’s Youth Council (nationtalk.ca) 

    The Provincial Government is inviting young, innovative, community-minded Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to apply for a seat on the Premier’s Youth Council. 

    The Premier’s Youth Council is comprised of 25 youth between the ages of 16 to 24.  It provides the valuable perspective of youth to the Premier, ministers and senior government officials on programs and services. 

    
    
  • TD Scholarship for Indigenous Peoples (nationtalk.ca) 
    TD Bank Group (TD) launches the TD Scholarship for Indigenous Peoples, a new scholarship program tailored specifically for students from the Indigenous community, managed by AFOA Canada. TD understands the unique challenges and systemic barriers we face as Indigenous Peoples. Which is why we have worked closely with TD to customize a scholarship program focused on the needs of students from the Indigenous community. 
    Scholarships are available for First Nations, Métis and Inuit who are members / citizens of a First Nation, Métis or Inuit community. You must be a permanent resident of Canada and have applied for or are currently enrolled in a full-time, minimum 2-year program with an approved post-secondary institution in Canada. 
    Applications will open Friday, November 18, 2022, at 4:30pm ET, and must be submitted by no later than January 16, 2023, at 5:00pm ET. For complete information about the program, please visit: www.afoa.ca/td.
    
    
  • SCO Launches new survey seeking Citizen Input on Reforming Justice System (nationtalk.ca) 
    The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) has launched a new online survey with the goal of seeking input that will assist SCO in advocating for the creation of an effective, equitable, and safe justice system from a First Nations perspective. 
    The survey is the latest tool as part of SCO’s overall First Nation’s Justice Strategy, which includes a focus on restorative justice. SCO’s Restorative Justice Program serves several First Nations and has dedicated Community Justice Workers in six communities—Bloodvein, Long Plain, O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi, Pinaymootang, Sagkeeng, and Sandy Bay First Nations. The program also serves Brokenhead, Dakota Tipi, Dauphin River, Ebb and Flow, Lake Manitoba, Lake St. Martin, Little Saskatchewan, Skownan, and beyond. 
    You can find the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SCO-IJS
    
    
  • United Brotherhood of Carpenters Canadian District receives $37 Million to Support Employers Hiring First-Year Apprentices (nationtalk.ca) 
    This program will fund assist Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to hire new, first-year apprentices in the skilled trades and provide extra support for employers to assist apprentices from equity deserving groups. 
    Apprenticeships offer a great way to get the hands-on work experience needed to pursue a career in the skilled trades, and small business plays a fundamental role in Canada’s apprenticeship systems. 

    Many SMEs do not have the resources to offer apprenticeship training opportunities. In an effort to change this situation, Rowe and the UBC Canadian District have launched a two-year, $37-million program funded by the government of Canada’s Apprenticeship Service to provide support to SMEs in Canadian construction and manufacturing “Red Seal” trades to help them to hire new, first-year apprentices needing a leg-up to begin lucrative careers in the well-respected skilled trades. 
    In addition to financial supports, the program provides assistance to help employers navigate the apprenticeship system, onboard new apprentices and set up the appropriate workplace training via a digital toolkit that can be found on their website at ubc-asp.ca.

In our Blog

In this installment of #notesfromthefield we share an awesome photo essay of our work on this project with the #mmf #manitobamétisfederation!
https://info.sharedvaluesolutions.com/blog/protecting-what-matters

Using video to gather and transmit traditional knowledge brings study results to life in a way that speaks powerfully to regulators and proponents, but most importantly, back to the community itself.
Read our blog post: 'Magnetawan Makes a Movie: Gathering Traditional Knowledge in a Digital Age' to learn about the power of video and how it brought this community together.

https://info.sharedvaluesolutions.com/blog/magnetawan-makes-a-movie-0

SVS eBooks for Download: Collect them all!

Check out our collection of informative eBooks that are available for free download:

• Protecting What Matters: Environmental Monitoring Ideas Bundle for Indigenous Nations
• Channeling the Wisdom of Indigenous Knowledge 
• Pandemic-Inspired Research Innovations
• Indigenous Planning Cheat Sheet
• Indigenous Business and the Resource Sector
• Indigenous Planning Starter Kit
• Indigenous Guardians and Development
• GIS Intro Guide: Harnessing the Power of Maps
• A Lands and Consultation Department Guidebook
• Planning Starter Kit

Download our eBooks here

We're Hiring!

About Us: Shared Value Solutions

We are a Canadian B Corp, and we assist Indigenous Nations with support throughout regulatory processes surrounding major development projects like mines, hydroelectric facilities, transmission lines, highway expansions, oil and gas pipelines, natural resource transport applications and nuclear power. 

We have deep context and experience behind the recommendations we provide, having worked for our clients on almost every major project in Canada over the last 10 years. For us, it’s all about building long-term relationships with our clients. We want to get to know you and what you want to do so we can help you move your plans forward. 

Core Services:

• Impact Benefit Agreement Negotiation Support 
• Technical Reviews and Regulatory Process Support 
• Community and Economic Development Planning 
• Indigenous Knowledge and Land Use Studies 
• Environmental Monitoring 
• Guardians Program Development 
• Climate Change Readiness 
• GIS and Mapping 
• and a whole lot more...www.sharedvaluesolutions.com